Finding The Seams

The first-ever LIVE edition of Finding The Seams delivered plenty to talk about after Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.

NBA champion Brendan Haywood and Ric Bucher break down how the Knicks overcame two massive momentum swings, why Jalen Brunson continues to prove he's one of the NBA's elite closers, and what ultimately separated New York from San Antonio in crunch time. They also dive deep into Victor Wembanyama's development, Dylan Harper's emergence, and why Brendan believes today's big men are being taught the wrong skills.

Most notably, Haywood explains why Wemby's incredible versatility may actually be slowing his path to true dominance—and why a summer studying Hakeem Olajuwon and developing a jump hook could transform him into an unstoppable force.

Plus:

• Why Karl-Anthony Towns deserves more credit
• Whether Dylan Harper should have been closing over De'Aaron Fox
• The biggest mistake Wembanyama made in Game 1
• Why championship teams embrace roles
• Lessons Brendan learned from the 2011 Mavericks championship team

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Finding The Seams intro

00:45 – First-ever LIVE episode begins

01:15 – Brendan's workout update and pre-show banter

02:00 – What decided Knicks-Spurs Game 1?

02:40 – KAT sparks New York's comeback

03:15 – The Knicks survive two momentum swings

04:05 – Why New York never panicked

05:15 – Jalen Brunson's calming influence

05:55 – Why Wemby isn't the NBA's best player yet

06:40 – Can a 7-foot-4 player be your primary closer?

07:10 – Does Wemby need a star guard partner?

08:00 – "He's so good at everything he hasn't maximized the one thing"

08:45 – Why Wemby's perimeter game may be holding him back

09:30 – The problem with taking nine threes

10:00 – Dylan Harper looks ready for the Finals

10:45 – Should Harper have closed over De'Aaron Fox?

11:30 – Spurs' late-game decision making

12:15 – Why Hakeem Olajuwon should be Wemby's offseason mentor

13:00 – Can we normalize big men playing big again?

14:00 – The jump hook that could make Wemby unstoppable

15:00 – Why efficiency wins playoff games

16:15 – Knicks chemistry and trust

17:00 – Why most NBA players don't like their role

18:00 – Brendan's Dallas championship experience

20:00 – How winning changes perspective

22:00 – Accountability inside great locker rooms

24:00 – What separates contenders from talented teams

26:00 – Karl-Anthony Towns' chance to change his legacy

28:00 – Why playoff pressure exposes chemistry

30:00 – Leadership, sacrifice and championship habits

33:00 – Why talented teams often fall short

36:00 – Spurs adjustments for Game 2

38:00 – Knicks concerns moving forward

39:00 – Series outlook and predictions

41:00 – Live-show wrap-up and future Finals coverage

42:04 – Outro

#FindingTheSeams #NBAFinals #JalenBrunson #VictorWembanyama #Knicks #Spurs #DylanHarper #KarlAnthonyTowns #NBAPodcast #Basketball #RicBucher #BrendanHaywood

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The Western Conference Finals are headed to Game 7, and Ric Bucher and Brendan Haywood break down what will decide it all.

Will Victor Wembanyama deliver the defining performance of his young career? Can Shai Gilgeous-Alexander silence the criticism surrounding OKC's whistle? And why hasn't Chet Holmgren imposed his will on a Spurs team often guarding him with smaller players?

Ric and Brendan examine the biggest matchup questions heading into Game 7, debate whether the Thunder's foul-baiting reputation is deserved, and discuss why playoff basketball ultimately comes down to stars embracing the moment. Brendan also shares stories from his 2011 NBA championship run with the Dallas Mavericks, including how Rick Carlisle prepared the team to finish off LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat.

00:00 – Finding The Seams intro

00:42 – Spurs-Thunder Game 7: any adjustments left?

01:15 – Why Game 7s come down to stars, stamina and role players

02:30 – Brendan picks OKC because of home court

03:15 – Why Game 7 is a legacy game for SGA and Wemby

04:10 – Wemby fatigue: why playoff minutes hit different

06:30 – Wemby vs. SGA: the biggest Game 7 storyline

07:15 – Is the OKC foul-baiting criticism fair?

09:30 – Why the SGA whistle narrative is overblown

11:00 – The hidden contact fans miss on jump shooters

13:20 – Brendan explains veteran tricks big men use on shooters

14:30 – Why OKC cannot start slow again

15:20 – Ric rethinks his Spurs pick after Game 5 and Game 6

16:30 – Why Chet Holmgren has to punish smaller defenders

18:00 – How OKC should get Chet going early

19:30 – Chet’s offseason priority: develop a reliable post counter

20:15 – Wemby vs. Chet: confidence, emotion and body language

22:15 – Brendan’s Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki playoff-fire stories

25:00 – Does Wemby need a monster Game 7 for Spurs to win?

27:00 – Why OKC should live with Wemby perimeter jumpers

28:20 – Victor as “big bro”: how Wemby lifts San Antonio

29:30 – Why Wembanyama’s maturity is unlike anything Brendan has seen

31:30 – Brendan’s 2011 Mavericks Finals Game 6 story

33:00 – Rick Carlisle’s “pack one black suit” message

34:45 – Why every playoff game is its own entity

36:00 – OKC’s past Game 7 experience vs. Denver

38:00 – Why SGA has struggled in this series

40:20 – Spurs defense, the Wemby effect and OKC’s need for a second creator

40:40 – Mitchell Robinson’s pinky injury and Finals availability

43:00 – Big-man injuries: why even a pinky matters

44:30 – How Mitchell Robinson changes the Knicks defensively

45:50 – Are the Knicks a real threat to OKC or San Antonio?

46:10 – Why Brendan believes in Jalen Brunson

47:00 – Knicks roster strengths: KAT, OG, Bridges, Hart, Robinson

49:00 – How the Knicks could match up with Wemby and the Spurs

50:30 – Finals expectations and what New York needs to win

51:30 – Brendan’s recovery update and possible live-show plans

52:09 – United WeCast outro

#NBA #NBAPlayoffs #VictorWembanyama #Wemby #Spurs #Thunder #SGA #ShaiGilgeousAlexander #ChetHolmgren #Game7 #FindingTheSeams #RicBucher #BrendanHaywood

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Ric Bucher and Brendan Haywood break down Victor Wembanyama’s monster Western Conference Finals opener — 41 points, 24 rebounds, double-overtime win, and a message to the MVP voters. The guys debate how OKC should guard Wemby, why Chet Holmgren has to accept the challenge, whether Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can solve San Antonio’s defense, and what the MVP vote revealed about media bias toward big-market stars.

They also dig into the Stephen A. Smith–Jaylen Brown feud, Cade Cunningham getting overlooked, and why Knicks-Cavs could come down to one question: who can stop Jalen Brunson?

00:00 – Finding The Seams intro

00:42 – Spurs stun Thunder in double OT

01:35 – Why San Antonio should feel dangerous

03:20 – Wemby, Alex Caruso & OKC’s defensive gamble

04:30 – Spurs were ready for OKC’s coverage

06:20 – Why Chet Holmgren has to guard Wemby

07:30 – Wemby vs. Chet: the U-17 backstory

09:20 – Is there any real answer for Wembanyama?

11:40 – Spurs’ plan to slow Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

14:00 – Wemby’s mindset, effort and playoff growth

16:15 – OKC’s scoring-lineup dilemma

18:20 – Wemby’s MVP statement game

22:45 – SGA wins MVP; Jokic, Wemby, Luka and Cade debate

25:00 – Why Cade Cunningham was overlooked

29:05 – Stephen A. Smith vs. Jaylen Brown

34:00 – Media threats, access and credibility

38:00 – Cavs-Knicks preview

40:00 – Why Jalen Brunson may decide the series

42:00 – James Harden legacy stakes

43:00 – Show wrap

#NBAPlayoffs #FindingTheSeams #VictorWembanyama #Wemby #Spurs #Thunder #OKCThunder #SGA #ChetHolmgren #NBAMVP #CadeCunningham #Knicks #Cavs #JalenBrunson #BrendanHaywood #RicBucher

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Ric Bucher and Brendan Haywood pull back the curtain on the NBA’s newest power struggle: LeBron James vs. the Lakers. From the “game ball disrespect” controversy to Luka Dončić becoming the true face of the franchise, Ric and Brendan debate whether LeBron’s time in Los Angeles is quietly coming to an end — and whether Cleveland is even a realistic option.

They also break down why Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves may be farther from contention than people realize, why San Antonio and OKC have already separated themselves from the rest of the West, and why Victor Wembanyama’s rise is changing the entire NBA landscape faster than expected.

Plus: Drake vs. Kendrick, NBA “microaggressions,” Rich Paul power dynamics, and why Minnesota’s roster may need a complete overhaul.

00:00 – Finding The Seams intro

00:42 – Drake vs. Kendrick, DeMar DeRozan and LeBron crossover talk

04:15 – LeBron’s Lakers “game ball” disrespect controversy

06:00 – Brendan on NBA locker-room microaggressions

09:20 – Pat Riley, LeBron and Miami Heat power dynamics

11:20 – Is LeBron being petty or justified?

13:05 – Why LeBron’s camp may have leaked the story

15:20 – Will LeBron leave the Lakers?

16:40 – Why Luka Dončić is becoming the Lakers’ new center of gravity

18:10 – Could Cleveland work for LeBron?

20:20 – Why only a few teams make sense for LeBron now

21:40 – Timberwolves autopsy after Spurs elimination

22:35 – Anthony Edwards: superstar scorer or incomplete franchise engine?

24:00 – Minnesota’s roster problem: Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle and no true playmaker

25:50 – Pistons-Cavs: is Detroit for real?

26:30 – Cade Cunningham’s star leap

27:00 – Cleveland’s playoff questions and James Harden criticism

29:00 – Why the Cavaliers still feel incomplete

31:00 – Donovan Mitchell, roster talent and Cleveland’s “missing guy” problem

34:00 – Spurs vs. Thunder Western Conference Finals preview

35:20 – Why San Antonio can beat OKC

36:40 – How OKC must guard SGA differently against the Spurs

38:00 – Making stars work: Brendan’s playoff defensive philosophy

40:00 – Wemby’s impact on OKC’s offense and spacing

42:00 – Knicks/East title-path discussion

44:30 – Jalen Brunson’s place in Knicks history

47:00 – Latrell Sprewell, Allan Houston and Knicks Finals nostalgia

48:00 – Comparing old Knicks teams to Brendan’s Mavericks title team

50:00 – Final thoughts and Brendan’s reaction

52:06 – United Wecast / NoFilter outro

#NBA #LeBronJames #LukaDoncic #VictorWembanyama #AnthonyEdwards #Spurs #Lakers #Timberwolves #FindingTheSeams #RicBucher #BrendanHaywood #NBAPlayoffs

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Ric Bucher and Brendan Haywood dive into the NBA playoff matchups that suddenly look a lot more dangerous than expected. The Timberwolves stole Game 1, but did they blow their real chance when the Spurs punched back? Brendan makes the case that Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio are already championship-capable — while Ric questions whether the Spurs still lack the size, seasoning and postseason reps to win 16 games.

They also break down why Luka Dončić should not rush back from a hamstring injury, why the Lakers’ playoff hopes may already be cooked against OKC, whether Cade Cunningham has made Detroit more believable than Cleveland, and why the Knicks may have their best title opening in decades.

00:00 – Intro: Ric, Brendan and “we here now”

01:21 – Spurs vs Timberwolves: which Game 1/2 result mattered more?

03:00 – Did Minnesota waste its chance?

05:34 – Spurs’ biggest flaw: positional size

07:24 – Brendan: San Antonio can win the title now

09:25 – Spurs vs OKC as the “real NBA Finals”

10:15 – Are the Knicks suddenly a title threat?

12:08 – How Wemby erases matchup problems

13:00 – Is San Antonio one piece or one year away?

15:20 – Wemby’s Game 1-to-Game 2 adjustment

17:30 – Why Wembanyama is unlike anything the NBA has seen

19:22 – Lakers vs OKC and the Luka Dončić injury debate

20:30 – Brendan’s warning about pain-killing shots

24:30 – PRP, peptides and playoff injury risk

25:50 – Pistons vs Cavs: is Detroit for real?

26:30 – Cade Cunningham’s rise

30:00 – Cleveland’s playoff questions

34:00 – Knicks, Brunson and the East title path

40:15 – 76ers series outlook and Joel Embiid uncertainty

46:00 – Knicks’ evolution, coaching and Karl-Anthony Towns

52:09 – Closing: NoFilter, United Wecast and YouTube

#NBA #NBAPodcast #FindingTheSeams #RicBucher #BrendanHaywood #VictorWembanyama #Wemby #Spurs #Thunder #Lakers #LukaDoncic #CadeCunningham #Pistons #Cavs #Knicks #NBAPlayoffs

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Are the Boston Celtics really about to collapse in Round 1? Can the Los Angeles Lakers or Houston Rockets survive just to get steamrolled by the Oklahoma City Thunder? And is this officially the end of the road for Denver Nuggets as contenders?

In this high-energy episode of Finding The Seams, Ric Bucher and Brendan Haywood break down one of the most unpredictable NBA playoff first rounds in recent memory—where expectations are collapsing, injuries are reshaping outcomes, and new contenders are rising fast.

They dive deep into:

• Why Philadelphia 76ers—powered by Joel Embiid and Paul George—have the Boston Celtics on the ropes
• The risky decision surrounding Jayson Tatum’s calf injury and what history says about playing through it
• Why Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets may have missed their championship window
• The rise of Cade Cunningham and what the Detroit Pistons still lack
• A revealing discussion on LeBron James’ influence on game plans—and what’s myth vs. reality

Plus: brutal truths about roster construction, playoff officiating differences, and why the Western Conference might already have the next NBA champion waiting.

This episode is packed with insight, laughs, and unfiltered NBA truth you won’t hear anywhere else.

00:00 – Show intro & New Air Club sponsor read

01:30 – Best first round in years? Playoff chaos explained

02:00 – Celtics vs Sixers: Why Boston is in REAL trouble

05:00 – Paul George & Joel Embiid dominating

06:30 – Jayson Tatum injury risk: play or sit?

08:00 – Boston’s fatal flaw: living and dying by the 3

10:00 – Haywood’s Game 7 blueprint for Celtics survival

13:30 – Lakers vs Rockets: flawed teams, bigger problems ahead

15:00 – Nuggets eliminated: Is the championship window CLOSED?

18:00 – Why missed title chances change legacies forever

21:00 – The truth about “two-way stars” and championship teams

26:00 – Thunder & Spurs collision course: next NBA dynasty?

30:00 – Cade Cunningham carrying Detroit

33:00 – Playoff officiating vs regular season: HUGE difference

37:00 – LeBron James game plan control—fact or fiction?

41:00 – Final thoughts + show wrap

#NBAPlayoffs #NBAPodcast #Celtics #76ers #Lakers #Nuggets #LeBronJames #JaysonTatum #JoelEmbiid #CadeCunningham #NBATalk #BasketballAnalysis #UnitedWeCast

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The basketball world is shifting fast—and **Ric Bucher and Brendan Haywood break down the uncomfortable truth:

💰 College players are becoming millionaires through NIL—but at what cost?

🔄 Is the transfer portal killing team identity—or fueling the sport’s growth?

🏀 And in the NBA Playoffs… which players and teams are getting EXPOSED under pressure?

From the economics of modern college basketball to the reality check of postseason basketball, this episode dives deep into what really separates talent from winning players.

Plus:

• Why “unseen hours” matter more than talent
• The hidden downside of NIL money
• Why some playoff teams are frauds—and others are for real
• The truth about player development from college to the NBA

If you want to understand where basketball is headed—and who’s built to survive it—this episode is for you.

• 00:00 – Intro: From college to the pros—what it really takes
• 01:20 – NIL & transfer portal debate: crisis or evolution?
• 03:00 – Why NIL might actually HELP college basketball
• 04:30 – The downside: player movement killing team identity
• 05:40 – Why fans feel less connected to college players now
• 06:40 – Should the NCAA limit transfers or salaries?
• 07:40 – 7th & 8th-year players?! The system breaking down
• 08:40 – College basketball = BIG BUSINESS now
• 09:40 – Can players leave college rich but unprepared?
• 11:00 – Degrees vs money: what actually matters long-term
• 12:30 – The lost value of school loyalty & connections
• 15:00 – Choosing money vs the right basketball situation
• 17:00 – Why top prospects SHOULD leave for the NBA
• 20:00 – The truth about NBA development vs college
• 23:00 – “Unseen hours”: what separates real pros
• 27:00 – Game-speed training & building confidence
• 29:00 – Why role players stick in the league (Udonis Haslem effect)
• 30:00 – NBA Playoffs: Lakers vs Rockets breakdown
• 32:00 – Why some teams are structurally flawed
• 34:00 – Playoff basketball vs regular season: HUGE difference
• 38:00 – Why players struggle under playoff pressure
• 40:30 – Surprise playoff teams & who’s legit
• 45:00 – Are the Pistons contenders—or frauds?
• 47:00 – Knicks vs Pistons: who do you trust more?
• 49:00 – What teams REALLY need to win championships
• 52:00 – Final thoughts + NBA brotherhood reality

#NBA #NBAPodcasts #CollegeBasketball #NIL #TransferPortal #NBADraft #NBARookies #NBAPLayoffs #BasketballTalk #SportsDebate #Hoops #UnitedWeCast #FindingTheSeams

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The NBA just bent its own rules—and it may have reshaped the MVP race.

In this episode of Finding The Seams, Ric Bucher and Brendan Haywood break down the league’s controversial decision to grant eligibility exceptions for Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham… and why it could ripple across contracts, awards, and the future of load management.

They go deep on:

• Why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is running away with MVP (and why the “foul-baiting” narrative is lazy)
• The brutal reality of the 65-game rule and its unintended consequences
• How Nikola Jokić quietly made history—and still might not win MVP
• The play-in tournament chaos, including shocking results and what they reveal about contenders
• A tough truth about Paolo Banchero: franchise cornerstone or flawed foundation?
• Why Steph Curry’s impact goes beyond gravity—and borders on psychological dominance
• The controversial LaMelo Ball–Bam Adebayo incident and whether the NBA failed to get it right
• And a fascinating look at the Charlotte Hornets’ future, including LaMelo’s role and rising internal competition

This episode doesn’t just analyze—it challenges the narratives shaping today’s NBA.

00:00 – Show intro + Haywood’s upgraded mic debut

01:30 – NBA bends the 65-game rule (Luka & Cade eligibility)

04:40 – Why the rule exists (money, contracts, and rest games)

06:50 – Jokic forced to play… and what that says about the system

08:00 – MVP race breakdown: SGA vs Jokic vs the field

10:45 – Why SGA criticism is misguided (and historically wrong)

13:15 – Social media vs reality: how narratives get distorted

19:00 – Play-in reactions: surprises, disappointments, and trends

20:10 – Paolo Banchero debate: star or limitation?

26:00 – Steph Curry effect: elevating teammates beyond their ceiling

32:00 – LaMelo Ball controversy + replay rule problem

38:00 – Should the NBA fix replay loopholes?

42:00 – Hornets future: contracts, Kobe White, and team identity

47:00 – LaMelo Ball: franchise face or evolving role?

52:00 – Coaching impact + Charlotte’s rising structure

54:30 – Closing thoughts

#NBA #NBAPodcast #FindingTheSeams #RicBucher #BrendanHaywood #NBAMVP #SGA #NikolaJokic #LukaDoncic #CadeCunningham #NBAPlayIn #StephCurry #LaMeloBall #NBADebate #BasketballTalk

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The University of North Carolina just made one of the boldest hires in recent memory—bringing in NBA champion coach Michael Malone. But is this a genius move… or a disaster waiting to happen?

On this episode of Finding The Seams, Ric Bucher and Brendan Haywood break down:

• Why Malone’s NBA success may NOT translate to college
• The hidden challenge of NIL, recruiting, and GM dynamics
• How his fiery coaching style could actually DOMINATE in college hoops
• The real story behind his exit from the Denver Nuggets
• Why this hire could reshape the future of college basketball

PLUS:

• The Chicago Bulls front office shake-up and what it means for Billy Donovan
• NBA playoff mindset vs regular season illusions
• MVP, Rookie of the Year, and Most Improved debates heating up 🔥

Is this the start of a new era—or a cautionary tale?

0:00 – Welcome to Finding The Seams

0:45 – New Air Club sponsorship

1:30 – UNC hires Michael Malone: Initial reaction

3:00 – Why insiders LOVE Malone’s work ethic

4:30 – Recruiting questions + NIL reality

6:00 – Malone’s biggest risk: front office relationships

8:00 – NBA vs College coaching culture clash

11:30 – Why “fiery” coaching works BETTER in college

14:00 – Can Malone replicate Rick Pitino / Dan Hurley success style?

17:30 – NBA-to-college transitions: history & risks

19:30 – Is this another “big name gamble”?

22:00 – Bulls front office chaos explained

26:00 – Why bad roster management kills franchises

30:00 – Golden State roster lessons & development failures

35:00 – Playoff vs regular season: what REALLY matters

40:00 – MVP race & playoff takeaways

47:00 – Rookie of the Year debate (Cooper Flagg vs others)

50:00 – Most Improved controversy

52:00 – Final thoughts

#UNC #CollegeBasketball #NBA #MichaelMalone #NBADraft #MarchMadness #BasketballTalk #UnitedWeCast #RicBucher #BrendanHaywood #NBAPodcast #Hoops

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The NBA playoff picture just shifted—hard.

On this episode of Finding The Seams, Ric Bucher and Brendan Haywood break down the ripple effects of Luka Dončić’s hamstring injury—and why it could derail the **Los Angeles Lakers’ championship hopes before the playoffs even begin.

But that’s just the start.

They go deep on:

• Whether the Dallas Mavericks actually had valid concerns about Luka all along
• Why rushing him back could be a franchise-altering mistake
• The brutal truth about availability vs greatness in today’s NBA

Then the MVP race explodes into focus:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs Nikola Jokić vs Victor Wembanyama
• Why defense is finally being valued again
• And which superstar gets LEFT OFF the ballot

Plus:

• The changing economics of college basketball (NIL + transfer portal reality)
• Why even elite coaches may struggle in today’s NCAA landscape
• And a wild Final Four breakdown with a clear favorite emerging

💥 This episode connects everything: injuries, front-office decisions, legacy, and how quickly the league can flip.

• 0:00 – What “Finding The Seams” is really about
• 0:40 – New Air Club sponsorship + luxury travel breakdown
• 2:40 – Luka Dončić injury reaction: worse than it looks?
• 4:30 – Why rushing Luka back is “reckless”
• 5:15 – Lakers playoff outlook WITHOUT Luka
• 6:15 – Did the Mavericks see this coming?
• 9:00 – Luka vs Anthony Davis: who’s the bigger risk?
• 14:30 – MVP race debate begins
• 15:30 – Who gets left OFF the MVP ballot?
• 17:40 – Why SGA may have already won MVP
• 19:00 – Legacy talk: system vs superstar greatness
• 23:00 – Michael Jordan, culture, and sustained excellence
• 29:00 – College basketball is COMPLETELY different now
• 31:00 – Billy Donovan to UNC? Big risk explained
• 36:00 – Transfer portal & NIL reshaping recruiting
• 39:30 – Final Four picks + why Arizona stands out
• 41:00 – Outro + fan engagement CTA

#NBA #LukaDoncic #Lakers #NBAPlaysoffs #MVP #ShaiGilgeousAlexander #NikolaJokic #Wembanyama #NBANews #BasketballPodcast #UnitedWeCast #FindingTheSeams

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